Method for making building blocks



Jan. 9, 1945.

L. GELBMAN ET AL METHOD FOR MAKING BUILDING BLOCKS Original Filed Aug; 28, 1937 S SheetS-Sheet 2 4 INVENTORj LOUIS ELBMHN EU me E oLsE/v M BY 6R MR 5: NW

Jan. 9, 1945. L. GELBMAN ETAL 4 2,366,780

METHOD FOR MAKING BUILDING BLOCKS Original Filed Aug. 28, 1937 9 Sheets-Sheet s 1o INVENTORS LOU/5 QELBNHN Eugen/E 1-. 0455mm BY nRTWR B. M675 J M W n TTDRME),

Jan. 9, 1945. 1.. GELBMAN ETAL METHOD FOR MAKING BUILDING BLOCKS 9 Sheets-Sheet4 Original Filed Aug. 28, 1937 N M N HUI. T MON 1 B A Half? Jan. 9, 1945. L. GELBMAN ET AL 2,366,780

METHOD FOR MAKING BUILDING BLOCKS Original Filed Aug. 28, 1937 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORb Lows I-BMN 98 EU A E owe/v M 4 98 L 15 By HR WK 9. "I 7 Jan. 9, 1945.

L. GELBMAN ET AL 0 METHOD FOR MAKING BUILDING BLOCKS Original Filed Aug. 28, 1937 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 74' J 5 l5 50 .INVENTORS LOUIS gems/MN EUL-WE F. OLSEN M BY Wk? 15. mm

Jan. 9, 1945. L. GELBMAN ETAL 2,366,780

METHOD FOR MAKING BUILDING BLOCKS Original Filed Aug. 28, 1937 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 all By RR nun 5. M675 Jan. 9, 1945. L. GELBMAN ETAL 2,366,780

METHOD FOR MAKING BUILDING BLOCKS Original Filed Aug. 28, 1937 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 y WR 61 M075 Patented Jan. 9, 1945 2,366,780 7 METHOD FOR. MAKING BUILDING BLOCKS Louis Gelbman, Yonkers, N. Y.. and Eugene F.

Olsen and Arthur B. Mays, Adrian, Mich., assignors of eleven-twentieths to Hamlin F. Andrus and nine-twentieths to Louis Gelbman, both of Yonkers. N. Y.

Original application August 28, 1937, Serial No. 161,370. Renewed April 21, 1939. Divided and this application August 21, 1941, Serial No.

2 Claims.

' the operation of building block machines working on the vibration principle, and methods for making blocks embodying this principle. One of the chief defects of the vibration principle resides in the fact that with the application of vibration the concrete material in the mold of the machine will be packed more densely in the bottom of the block than at the top. This is easily understandable now that we point it out, since when the mold is vibrated the material in the top portion of the mold is free to jiggle, or jolt or move around, and consequently it could not possibly pack as hard as the material within the lower portion of the mold which is held firmly by the material above it.

The method we have discovered for eliminating the defect pointed out in the previous paragraph consists essentially in providing a mold of a higher dimension than that required for the finished block. It is proposed to pack material into this mold by the vibration method. It is then proposed that after the mold has been packed by the vibration method to strike oii the excess material at the top of the mold to insure a commercially uniform amount of material to be in the mold. It is then proposed that pressure be applied on the material in the top of the mold to compress the upper portion of the material in the mold and make the top portion of the block just as dense as the bottom portion and just as smooth, and perhaps smoother In carrying out the method it is proposed to limit the amount to which the material in the mold may be compressed to make blocks of uniform height. It is proposed to permit compression to a point which corresponds closely with the lowest level to which the packed material will conipress by reason of resistance of the material itse f.

Still further the invention relates to the operation of a specific type of means for applying the pressure on the material in the top of the mold as the compression of the vibration packing. It is proposed to characterize this specific pressure applying means by a pressure head which is adapted to normally be held in a raised position and which is released immediately after the excess material has been struck off the top of the mold so that it comes down to bear on the material in the top portion of the mold. This pressure head may merely supply the required amount of pressure. But a preferred arrangement of the invention consists in simultaneously vibrating the mold while the pressure head is in operation so that the vibrations assist the pressure head in completing the packing of the block. With this arrangement the weight of the pressure head and the amount of pressure necessary to be exerted by it is materially reduced.

Another defect of the vibration type of block machine which we have discovered from our years of experimenting is that the vibrations have a tendency of rattling the machine to pieces. Attempts have been made to insulate the vibrations from destroying the machine but this has proved to be quite a diificult .problem in actual practice. A method has finally been evolved which has proved satisfactory and this invention contemplates the teaching of this method. This method is characterized by the fact that the vibration unit is set in the foundation of the block machine rather than above the foundation and on a portion of the machine. It is proposed to construct the vibration unit in a particular manner so that vibrations in all directions, except the vertical, are immediately absorbed and dissipated into the foundation, while the vertical vibrations are transmitted upwards by a stiff but relatively flexible member to the mold of the block machine.

Specifically, it is proposed to utilize a .pair of flat leaf springs arranged in a particular manner for transmitting the useful vibrations up to the mold.

Furthermore, the invention contemplates supporting the mold in a particular manner to obtain the full effects of the jolting ability of the vibrating unit and at the same time limiting vibrations from reaching other portions of the block machine.

With respect to the vibration unit itself it is proposed to use a rotary vibrator and to use a specific principle in converting the rotary vibration into a reciprocating vibration in one direction or one plane only, namely, the vertical of the mold.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a block machine constructed to operate according to this invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the machine looking from the left hand side.

Fig. 3 is a rear elevational view of the machine.

Fl 1 4 is a side elevational view of the machine looking from the right hand side.

Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of the machine. t

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5, to which a section of the foundation has been added.

Fig. '7 is a plan view of the foundation illustrated with the vibration unit mounted thereon.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of one of the corner members used in supporting the mold.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on line 9-9 of Figure 2.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line |-|0 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary elevational view looking in the direction of the line l|| of Fig. 4.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged detailed view of a portion of Fig. 4.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on. the line |3|3 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of one of the cams shown in Fig. 12. r

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the take-oil device.

Fig. 16 is a sectional view taken on the line |6|6 of Fig. 15.

Fig. 1'7 is a sectional view taken on the line |1l1 of Fig. 16.

Fig. 18 is a schematic wiring diagram of the device.

The block machine according to this invention, and adapted to carry out the method of the invention, .includes a frame consisting of a pair of spaced channel members l0 and II extending from the front of the machine to the rear and held together at the bottom sides by a longitudinally extending pair of small channel members l2 and I3. These channel members l2 and I3 are adapted to engage into longitudinally extending recesses l4 formed in the top portion of a'concrete foundation l for the block machine. At the front there are a pair of vertical channel members l6 and I1 mounted upon the top sides of the members I!) and II, respectively. The members l6 and I are braced together at the top by a channel member ID secured across the top ends thereof. At a slight distance from the top the channel members I6 and I! are braced together by a channel member l9 secured across the back sides. From the top portions of the channel members l6 and IT there extend rearwards a pair of angle members 20 and 2|. These angle members are attached at their front ends to the inner faces of the channel members l6 and I1. These rearward extending angle members 26 and 2| are braced by a pair of channel members 22 and 23 attached at their upper ends to the outer faces of the angle members 26 and 2| respectively, and extending downwards and at their lower ends secured upon the top faces of the channel members l0 and II.

The angle member 25 is secured between the extremities of the angle members 20 and 22 and assists in supporting a concrete supply chute 26. This chute as further supported by a channel member 21 which is bent substantially in U-shape and which has the back portion of the U-iormatlon secured to the front side of the chute 26 and with the front extremities of its. arms secured to the vertical channel members l6 and I]. At the rear side the chute 26 is formed with a hopper shaped member 28 engaged over an opening in the side thereof so that the interior of the chute may be examined and packing up and blocking of the lower portion remedied whenever required. A feeder drawer 36 is positioned beneath the chute 26 and is slidably supported by a pair of rollers 3| on each side engaging upon tracks 32 and 33 mounted horizontally of the machine between the front vertical channel members I6 and I! and the rear inclined members 22 and 23. These tracks are adapted to support the said drawer 30 so that it may move forward from its position beneath the chute 26 to a position beneath the front vertical channel members |6 and I1 and above a mold 34 for th concrete blocks to be made by the machine. The feed drawer 36 at its rear is provided with a horizontally extending plate 35 supported by rollers 36 which also engage the tracks 32 and 33. This plate 35 is adapted to close the bottom of the chute 26 when the feed drawer moves to its front position.

Rubber strips 26a are attached upon the bottom edge portions of the chute 26 and engage against the top of the feed drawer 30 and the plate 35 to prevent leakage of concrete material between the chute and the feed drawer. Rubber strips 30a are attached along the bottom edge portions of the feed drawer 30 and abut the stationary plate 31. When the feed drawer 30 is moved to its front position over the mold 34 these rubber strips 30a engage the top of the mold 34. The strips 30a serve to eliminate or reduce leakage of concrete material between the feed drawer 3|) and the stationary plate 31 and the mold 34. It is pointed out that the rollers 3| engaging the tracks 32 and 33 serve to support the feed drawer 30 so that its bottom edge does not come into direct contact with the top of the mold 34. The rubber strips 30a are depended upon to close the small space between the bottom edge of the feed drawer 30 and the mold 34. Consequently, vibrations from the mold 34 will not .be transmitted to the feed drawer 30. This is an advantageous construction, for should the vibrations be transmitted, the feed drawer cut off plate 35 would vibrate and vibrate the concrete material in the chute 26. This will cause packing oi the concrete in the chute, which is objectionable support members 38 which have the ends of their arms attached upon I beams 39 and 46 mounted across the top portions of the channel members l6 and H. The front edge of the plate 31 is immediately adjacent the top edge of the mold 34 (see Fig. 6) so that the material from the feed drawer is transferred to the top of the mold. The mold 34 is supported upon several bars 4| extending from the front to the rear and adapted to support conventional pallets dropped into the mold during the operation of the block machine. These bars are attached to a base plate 42 which is provided with a pair of transversely spaced and longitudinally extending ribs 43 freely resting upon the tops of four comer members 44.

These corner members are tested upon the ends of two transversely spaced longitudinally extending channel members 45, which in turn are anchored to a concrete block 46 insulated from the foundation l5. Interposed between the sides of the concrete block 46 and the foundation there are sheets of resilient material 14' such as sheet rubber or sheet cork, or similar material.

The channel members 45 are arranged so that their top faces are substantially flush with the top face of the foundation l5. Each of the channel members 45 have their flanges reinforced by narrow flange channel members 48 engaged between the edge portions of the flanges thereof and secured thereto. The channel members 45, 46 extend. the full width of the block machine between the channel members In and H. The channel members 45, 48 are anchored into the concrete block 46 by anchorage bolts 49 which pass through the arms of the channel members 45, 48 and extend into the block 46 and at their bottom ends are provided with large anchorage heads 50.

Between the channel members 45 the vibration unit is mounted. This vibrationunit consists of a pair of spaced bearings5| and 52 (see Fig. 7) vertically slidably mounted between the channel members 45. These channel members are placed with their flanges directed away from each other and with their backs towards each other. It is between the backs of these channel members that the bearings 5| and 52 are arranged. Resilient pads 53 are interposed between the front and rear faces of each bearing and beneath the bottom face of each hearing which.

is to be separated from the concrete block 46. It should be clear that the bearings 5| and 52 are adapted to slide vertically upwards and downwards and transmit vertical vibrations. but are insulated from vibrations .n all other directions. A shaft 54 is rotatively mounted in the bearings 5| and 52 and at the center is provided with a thrust bearing consisting of a pair of spaced flanges 55 between which there engages a tongue 56 mounted upon the rear channel member 45.-

This thrust bearing holds the shaft 54 from longitudinal motion, but permits vertical motion and also rotation. A pair of offset weights 5! are mounted on the shaft 54. One end of the shaft 54 extends from the bearing 52 and is joined by a flange coupling 56 with a motor 59 mounted in a pit 6|] formed in the foundation. The arrangement is such that when the motor 53 operates the shaft 54 will be rotated and the offset weights 5! will tend to cause the shaft 54 to vibrate in a rotary direction. Since the shaft 54 is rotative in the bearings 5| and 52 which are limited to slide only in the vertical direction, the rotary tendency of vibration will be changed to a reciprocating vibration arranged in the vertical plane.

Each of the corner support members 44 is of the construction shown in Fig. 8. Essentially, each corner support 44. comprises a vertical transverse wall 44a from the central portion of which there extends a longitudinally vertical wall 44b. A transverse head portion 44c is disposed on. the upper ends of the walls 44a and 44b. Spaced slightly up from the bottom ends of the walls 44a and 441) there is a transverse partition 44d. The various parts of each of these support members 44 preferably should be integral. Each of the support members 44 are rigidly secured upon the channel members 45 arranged so that the open area between the walls 44a and 44!) are disposed outwards. This may be seen by an examination of Fig. 7.

In the space between the walls 44a and 44b the top member 440 and the partition 1 of each support member 44 is formed with superimposed openings 6| and 62. Through each pair of superimposed openings a bolt 63 passes. Each of these bolts also extends upwards and through The ribs 43 normally rest on the head portions 440 of the support members 44, but as the mold vibrates these rib portions 43 rise off the head portions 44c to positions atwhich the nuts 65 strike the portions 44d. This is the limit for the upward motion of the vibration of the mold.

The downward motion is arrested when the ribs.

43 strike the head portions 440 of the support members 44.

The mold 34 is a multiple mold arranged to make three blocks at a time. The mold is so arranged that these blocks will be positioned with the long sides extending from the front to the back of the machine.

The vibration unit is connected to the mold support plate 42 in the following manner: There are a pair of vertical rods 61, the bottom ends 61a of which are screwed into threaded openings in the tops of the bearings 5| and 52. Theupper ends are rigidly attached by bolts 68 to the plate 42. The rods 61 are made from topandbottom sections 61b and 61c, respectively. Flat, relatively stiff leaf springs 69 are welded between the inner ends of the sections 61b and 61c, respectively. These fiat leaf springs are arranged with the sides parallel to the vibrator shaft 54. Vertical vibrations from the bearings 5| and 52 will be transmitted by the rods 61 to the mold support plate 42 and thus to the mold 34 which is directly attached on the plate 42.

Above the mold 34 there is a pressure head. This pressure head comprises a carriage 10 extended between the vertical channel members l6 and I1 and slidably connected therewith by rollers I I. These rollers 1| engage the front and rear faces of each of the channel members l5 and I1 and are mounted on brackets 12 which in turn are mounted on the carriage 10. A plate 13 is attached to the bottom of the carriage l0 and this plate is shaped andcut out so as to fit into the top of the mold, for example, as shown in Fig. 6. The plate 13 is supported by the carriage 10 by several transverse bars 14. A rod 15 is attached to the carriage at its top and extends upwards through a bearing 16 mounted upon the channel member H! which is supported across the channel members I6 and IT. This rod 15 assists in guiding the pressure head. Furthermore, a collar I1 is mounted on the rod 15 and is cooperative with a catch device for holding the pressure head in its raised position. This catch device comprises a bolt 18 slidably supported by bearings I9 and mounted on the front face of the channel member IS. A collar 8| is mounted on a bolt 18. A spring 82 act between the collar 8| and one of the bearings, the bearing IQ, for normally urging the bolt I8 into operative position.

The front end of the bolt I8 is provided with a bevel edge 18a which is adapted to force the bolt inwards as the pressure head is raised and the collar 11 engages against it. But once the collar passes the bolt moves forwards and engages beneath the collar and so supports the pressure head in its raised position. The rear end of the bolt I8 extends through an opening in the channel member I6 and this end is provided with a head 83. A radial finger 84 engages beneath this head and is mounted upon a vertical rod 85 which is turnably supported by bearings 86 and 81 mounted on the channel member IS. A radial finger 88 is mounted on the rod 85 and has a longitudinally directed portion 88a formed with a front beveled edge 89. This finger 88a is cooperative with a pivotally mounted bolt 90 mounted on the feed drawer.

The bolt 90 is'pivotally supported intermediate of its ends by a pivot 9I. A spring 92 acts between the inner end of the bolt 90 and a bracket 93 mounted on the edge portion of the feed drawer 30. A block 94 is arranged adjacent the rear portion of the bolt 90 to limit pivoting in one direction only. The bolt may pivot as indicated by the dot and dash lines 900. in Fig. 9. The bolt 90 has a cam front end 90b adapted to cooperate with the cam end 89 of the arm 88a. The arrangement is such that when the feed drawer moves forwards the bolt 90 strikes the finger 88a and the bolt merely is pivoted to the dot and dash line position. Nothing happens except that the bolt is immediately urged back to its original position while the feed drawer is in its extended position. When the feed drawer moves back to its rear position, as hereinafter more fully described, the bolt 90 will again strike the finger 88a, but this time the cam surfaces 90b and 89 engage each other and this time the arm 88 will be pivoted to the dot and dash line position 88b. This pivoting of the arm turns the rod 85 and the peg 84 slightly pulls out the bolt I8 which releases the collar 11 and permits the pressure head to fall downwards upon the material in the mold.

Beneath the mold 34 there is a stripper device which consists of a bar 96 extending longitudinally of the machine and having its ends slidably engaging into a vertical opening or track 91 formed in the channel members I and II and continuing up into the channel members I6 and II. This bar 96 is therefore limited to vertical sliding. This bar 96 in its lowered position normally rests upon a pair of spaced bars 98 which rest on the top of the foundation I5. Supported on the bar 96 there are a plurality of transverse bars 99 held by U-shaped holding'bolts I00. A

plurality of stripper bars IOI are supported on Y the bars 99. These stripper bars IOI are arranged vertically thereof and are adapted to extend upwards against the-pallet in the mold 34 for stripping the concrete block from the mold as hereinafter more fully described. Also on the bar 96 there are a pair of bars I02 arranged near the ends thereof and which are slightly longer than the stripper bars IOI. These bars I02 extend up along the outer sides of the mold 34 and are adapted to strike against bosses I03 formed on the carriage I0 of the pressure head. These bars I02 are adapted to lift the pressure head back into its raised position when the blocks are stripped from the mold as hereinafter more fully described.

A mechanism is provided for operating the feed drawer and the stripper device in proper sequence for making the blocks. This mechanism is controlled by a handle I04 arranged on the front of the machine where the operator is capable of operating it. The handle I04 is mounted on a shaft I05 rotatively supported in bearings I" mounted on the channel member IT. The inner end of the shaft I05 is provided with a. sprocket I01 engaged by a chain I08 which extends downwards and engages a sprocket I09 on a horizontal shaft H0 extending parallel to andr mounted on the channel member II by a pair of spaced bearings III- and H2. Mounted on this shaft IIII there are a pair of cams H3 and H3". These cams are of identical construction except that they are placed in a different relative position on the shaft IIO. They are placed so that the projecting portions I-I3a are 90" from each other, Each of the cams may be understood from a close inspection of Fig. 14. Each cam has the projecting portion 3:: diametrically opposite to which there is a recessed portion H31) and at right angles between the raised and recessed portions there are level portions 30, and 311.

A pair of collars H5 and H6 are rotatively mounted on the shaft H0 and pivotally mounted on these collars there are the arms Ill and 8, These arms are arranged immediately adjacent the cams H3 and H3". The lower ends of these arms are provided with forked portions la and II8a respectively, which engage a track I20 mounted between and upon the channel members I2 and I3. The forked ends of the arms and the track I20 serve to limit the arms III and H8 from rotating and limit them to pivoting in a vertical plane as controlled by the cams I I3 and I I3". These cams are adap ed to pivot each arm to three possible positions. indicated in Fig. 4. They comprise a truly vertical position, a position extended at an inclination forwards and one extended at an inclination rearwards. Since the cams H3 and H3" are set apart 90 the arms I I1 and I I8 will be in different positions. There are four possible combinations because of the four operating areas of the cams,

, and these combinations will be hereinafter more fully described.

The arms II! and H8 are adapted to control two dogs I2! and I22. The dog I2I is pivotally mounted intermediate of its ends by a pintle I23 on a bracket I24. This bracket I24 is on a segmental gear I25 which in turn is loosely mounted on a shaft I26. The shaft I26 is mounted in bearings I 21 mounted on the channel members I0 and II. Consequently, the shaft I26 extends between or across these channel members I0 and II. On the outer end of the shaft I26 there is an arm I28 which is secured to the shaft I26 by a key I29. This arm I28 extends towards the dog I2I and its outer end portion is formed with niches I28a in the diametrically opposite sides thereof arranged to be engageable by the end portions of the dog I2I. The dog I2I has its end portions formed with an inward directed tooth on each end thereof. These inward directed teeth These positions are position with one end tilted upwards, and another position with this end tilted downwards. These positions are controlled by the dog striking the edge portions of the bracket I24. These positions are held by the spring I3I. The holding is accomplished by reason of the radial arm I29.

This radial arm is adapted to ass the dead center of possible motion of the dog. -When past the dead center to one side, the dog is held in one position. When past the dead center on the other side the dog is held in the other position. The dot and dash lines I2l' in Fig. 12 indicates the second position of the dog, while the full lines indicate the other position.

The segmental gear I25 at one side is provided with a pintle I35 which pivotally supports one end of a brace I36. This brace is connected with an adjustment bolt I31 which connects with a bracket I38 mounted by a pintle I39 pivotally and eccentric upon a gear I40 which is supported on a shaft Hi. This shaft is supported in bearings I42 mounted on the inner faces of the vertical channel members I6 and I1. The gear I48 meshes withanother gear I43 on a shaft I44 rotatively supported in bearings I45 mounted on the top faces of the angle members 2I and 22. The other end of the shaft I44 is provided with a large pulley I46. An endless belt I41 engages over this pulley and over a pulley I48 on an electric motor Thus it will be seen that when the motor I49 3 rotates the rotations will be transmitted indirectly to first reciprocate the brace I36 and then to oscillate the segmental gear I25. But since this segmental gear is free on the shaft I26 the oscillation will not be transmitted to the shaft.

Immediately adjacent the inner faces of the bearings I21 there are a pair of radial arms II fixedly mounted on the shaft 526. The outer ends of these radial arms are connected by pintles I52 to L-shaped arms I53. These L-shaped arms have their short arms extending substantially parallel to the radial arms HI and have their long arms extending forwards and connected by pintles I54 to the front portions of the feed drawer 30; The arrangementis such that when the radial arms I5I are turned through approximately 90 the arms I53. will move the feed drawer 30 forwards. Conversely, when the arms I5I are turned back to their original position the feed drawer 30 will be moved rearwards back to its original position.

The dog I22 is mounted upon a bracket I24 identical to the bracket I24. This bracket I24 is mounted on a segmental gear I55 which is loosely mounted on a shaft I56. This shaft I56 is mounted in bearings I51 and I58 mounted on the channel members II and I0, respectively. A radial arm I28 is keyed to the outer end of the shaft I56 and this radial arm is provided with niches I28aa upon opposite sides similar to the niches l28a. The dog I22 is fixedly mounted on a pintle I23 which pivotally extends through the segmental gear I and which on its inner end is tions because of the action of the spring I3I'.

A pair of cards I59 is mounted at two locations on the shaft I56 and cooperate with rollers I60 which are mounted on a connecting rod I6 I. This connecting rod connects together intermediate points of a pair of arms I62. Each of these arms I62 extend along the inner faces of the channels III, II. The rear ends of the arms I62 are connected with a shaft I63 which is turnably supported in bearings I64 mounted upon the rear portions of the channel members I0 and I I. Intermediate of their ends the arms I62 are reinforced with braces I62 which are merely additional arms sections welded or in any other manner secured to the arms I62. The purpose of these braces is merely to reinforce and stiffen the arms. The front ends of the arms I62 are formed with forked portions I62a which engage rod portions I65 mounted on the bar 96. The arrangement is such that when the cams I59 turn through 90, as indicated by the dot and dash lines in Fig. 6, the arms I62 will be pivoted to cause the front ends of the arms to raise the bar 96 and so indirectly raise the stripper mechanism which is mounted on this bar.

In order to hold the stripper mechanism raised a brake mechanism is associated with the shaft I56. This brake mechanism comprises a brake body I66 mounted on the shaft I56 and engaged by a brake shoe I61 which is mounted on a slid- I69 mounted on the channel member III. A

spring I10 acts between the bracket I69 and a I collar III on the rod I68 for normally urging the brake shoe I61 against the brake body I66. The pressure of this spring is sufficient to hold the shaft I56 against accidental turning.

The shaft I I0 is also held against accidental turning. This is accomplished by a square block I12 mounted on the shaft IIO and engaged by a flexible rod I13. This flexible rod at its inner end is supported upon the channel II. Intermediate of its ends it is urged downwards by a spring I14 which at its lower end is connected to a bracket I15 mounted on the bottom flange of the channel I I. The action of the spring I14 is to hold the block I12 against rotation. Since the block has four sides it will serve to hold the shaft H0 in the four positions in which it is turned as hereinafter more fully described.

The block take-off mechanism for the machine is as follows: There is a, U-shaped frame I which is provided with rollers I8I upon its sides and these rollers engage upon tracks I82 which are arranged directly beneath the tracks 32 and 33 and which are also mounted upon the channel members I6 and I1. These tracks l8a extend forwards from the front of the machine so that the frame I80 may be drawn outwards from its in position around the mold. The frame I80 is adapted to extend across the front of the mold and across the two sides. At the inward position the frame I80 will be connected with the feed drawer by reason of a pair of arms I86. These arms at their inner ends are formed with cutouts I81 forming a hook adapted to hook on to the pegs I88 mounted upon lugs projecting from the feed drawer 30. The inner ends of the arms I86 are formed with cam surfaces I89 whichare adapted to automatically cause the engagement of the pegs I 88a with the cutouts I 81 as hereinafter more fully described.

The arms I86 extend partallel along the inner faces of the side arms of the U-shaped frame I80 and are pivotally connected therewith by pintles I90. The front ends of the arms I88 extend out through slots I 9| in the front of the U-shaped frame I 80. The extended ends of the arms I88 are connected together by a handle frame I80. The front arm I93 is of U-shape and the side arms thereof extend downwards and at their lower ends are pivotally connected by pintles I 94' mounted on lugs attached to the bottom sides of the frame I80. The rear arm I94 is also of U-shape and also has its side arms extending downwards and are pivotally attached by pintles I95 to lugs also mounted on the side arms of the U-shaped frame I80. One of the ends of each of the arms I93 and I94, the right hand ends as illustrated in Fig. 15, have fingers I98 and I91 respectively extended towards each other. The finger I98 has an-overhanging tip I98 which completely extends over the end of the finger I91. The finger I91 is urged upwards by a spring I98 connected between it and the side arm of the frame I 80. The action of the spring I98 is restrained by the fact that a portion of the arm I93 abuts against an adjustment screw I84 which is mounted on 8. lug I85 mounted on the frame I80. This adjustment 'screw may be adjusted to hold the arms I 93 and I94 in their correct normal positions.

The finger I98 has a front extension I98a. This extensionis directly over a spring 200 (see Fig. 2) mounted on a rod I adjustably supported on another rod 202 which is mounted on one of the bars of the stripper device. 'The arrangement 'issuch that when the stripper device is moved ,to the upward position the spring 202 will strike the finger extension H811 and pivot the arms I93 and I94 inwards a slight amount sufficient to engage beneath the pallets of blocks which have been stripped from the block machine.

The electrical wiring of the device is shown in Fig. 18. There is a three-line source of power 205 which enters a control box 208 which has a handle 201 by which a three pole switch may be opened and closed. In each line there is a fuse 208. The three lines continue to a magnetic switch box 2I0 which has a three pole switch 2 adapted to be closed by a solenoid 2| 2. This switch is normally urged open-by a spring 2I3 and when the solenoid is energized, will close. This switch 2 controls the electric motor 59 which operates the vibrator unit of the device. The solenoid 2I2 is connected with a time switch box 2I4. More specifically, the solenoid 2I2 is in a circuit which connects a time switch 2I5 in series with a holding solenoid 2I8 of a mercury control switch 2" arranged to control the circuit of the solenoid M2. The mercury switch 2" is urged into an open position by a spring 2I8. It is adapted to be closed by the solenoid 2I8. The control solenoid 2 I 8 is in circuit with a hand operated switch 2I9 which is arranged in a box 220 mounted on the front of the block machine, preferably immediately adjacent the control handle- I04. The wiring may readily be followed. The arrangement consists in the fact that normally the switches 2| I, 2" and 2I9 are open. Of course, the control switch 201 must be closed at all times. To operate the vibrator of the block machine the switch I I9 is just momentaril closed by touching in operation, is five seconds.

' 2 I 9 is immediately released and opens.

When the switch 2" is closed the circuit through the solenoid M2 is closed and the switch 2 is closed by the solenoid which then closes the motor circuit and the motor 59 operates. The motor 59 will continue to operate until the time switch 2I5 opens. .It may be set for various desired times. A desirable time, according to the particular design of the machine which is now After this period the circuit is broken by the switch 2I5. This immediately breaks the holding circuit of the solenoid 2| 8 and then the spring 2I8 immediately opens the switch H1. The circuit is thus broken through the solenoid 2 I 2 and the spring 2 I 3 opens the switch 2I I. The parts are now'in their original positions and the cycle is ready to be repeated.

The operation of the device is as follows:

The normal position of the device is one in which the feed drawer 30 is in the retracted position as shown in Fig. 4. The pressure head 10, 1|, 12, etc., is in the raised position and held raised by the bolt 18. The stripper device 98, MI, etc., is in the lowered position. The take-oil frame I80 is in the inward position, as for example shown in Fig. 2. The motor I49 is continuously operating and consequently driving the pulley I48 which indirectly causes the link I38 to reciprocate and so continually oscillates the segmental gear I 25. This segmental gear I25 meshes with the segmental gear I55 which is therefore also being continually oscillated.

The operator of the machine drops pallets into the mold 34. If the mold is constructed for making three blocks it'is necessary that three pallets be dropped into the mold. Then the operator turns the handle I 04 through 90. This 90 rotation is transmitted by the shaft I05, the sprocket I01, the chain I08, the sprocket I09 to the shaft H0. The shaft H0 is turned 90 and held in thisnew turned position by the square block I12 and the resilient leaf I13 engaged against it.

The normal position of the arms H1 and I I8 are those in which the arm H1 is in the vertical and the arm II8 has its top end leaning rearwards, that is, towards the right in Fig. 4. When the shaft I I0 was turned through 90 the cams H3 and H3" correspondingly turned. This immediately pivoted the arms so that the vertical arm II1 now has its top end leaning rearwards to the right, while the arm H8 is now in the vertical position. The arms will be in the vertical position when the straight portions I I 30 and 3d of the cams are at the top and at the bottom. Each arm will lean one way when the projecting portion II3a is at the bottom, and lean the other way when it is at the top.

In the new position of the arms I I1 and II 8 the top end ofthe arm I I1 will strike against the dog I2I the next time the segmental gear I28 When the shaft I28 turned 90 it moves the radial arm II and the connecting arms I53 forwards and so moves the feed drawer 30 forwards to a position over the mold. As soon as the handle I04 was turned through the 90 the operator also is required to close the switch 2I9 which will set the vibrator into motion. As the feed drawer advances, or durin a portion of the time that it advances, or after it has reached its position over the mold, depending merely on the adjustment of the machine, the vibrator will be operating. When the vibrator operates the motor 59 rotates driving the shaft 54 and causing vertical jolts to be transmitted by the bearings 5| and 52 through the medium of the rods 61 to the mold.

Concrete or the like material from the chute 26 which was deposited in the feed drawer was thus moved over the mold and packed into the mold by the vibrations of the mold. After the vibrator ceases because of the operation of the switch 2I5, the operator turns the handle I04 through another 90". This will indirectly cause the shaft III] to turn another 90 and will cause the arm I I! to become vertical and simultaneously cause the arm I I8 to lean towards the front of the machine, that is, towards the left of Fig. 8. The upper end of the arm III? therefore will strike the dog i2I the next time that the oscillating segmental gear l reaches its anti-clockwise position, and then the dog will catch the arm M811 and the next swing of the gear l25 clockwise will turn the arm 428a back to its original position. This indirectly moves the feed drawer 38 back to its position beneath the chute 26.

As the feed drawer moves back to its original position beneath the chute, at the moment that it is completely back, the bolt 98 will trip the radial arm 38 and turn the rod 95 which indirectly draws the bolt 18 from the collar Ti and the pressure head drops downwards. The operator then again closes the switch M9, and for five seconds, or other period of time (as the time switch is set), the vibrator will operate.

An important feature of the machine must now be clearly understood. When the feed drawer moves back to its original position it struck off all excess material from the top of the mold. A quantity of material to make a commercially desirable block was now left in the mold, but the top of this block was not packed sufliciently. The

mold is so designed that it is higher than the required height of the block. Now when the pressure head falls down and vibrations continue, the top of the block will be packed and smoothed out and thus completed. This is a very important feature of the operation of the machine.

It is pointed out that the vibration unit will throw the mold through an amplitude equal to the height of the space 66. The vibration unit has sufiicient power to normally throw the mold through a larger amplitude than the height of the space 66, but the limiting of the amplitude of vibration of the mold produce a jolt at both the top and bottom ends of said amplitude. This jolting effectivelypacks the concrete material in the mold. However, as already stated, the top of the concrete will not be satisfactorily packed since it is loose to jiggle around. When the pressure head falls down upon the concrete material in the mold, which continues to vibrate, the top of the concrete material will be rapidly packed and smoothed out. When the pressure head is resting on the concrete material in the mold it will progressively descend as the concrete becomes packed. When thus descending, the pressure head will reduce said amplitude of vibration of the mold, to an amount smaller than the said space 66. This reduction in amplitude of vibration of the mold will reduce the amplitude of disturbance of the concrete material, which without the pressure head, tends to jiggle the top of the concrete mass loose. The reduction of the amplitude of vibration of the mold will also increase the jolt hock, since the power of the vibrating unit is constant, and consequently when the amplitude of vibration is reduced the jolt shock must increase.

The pressure head is limited in its downward motion by the bosses I63 striking the tops of the rods I82. These rods may be adjusted to a position so that the pressure head sinks a predetermined amount into the mold and so forms blocks of universal height. The operator then turns the handle I94 another and this indirectly turns the shaft I ll] 90. This indirectly causes the arms Ill and H8 to shift so that the arm II? is now leaning forward, its front end towards the left in Fig. 4, and so that the arm H8 is in thevertical position. This is the full line position shown in Fig. 4.

In this position the lower end of the arm ill will strike the dog I22 the next time that the segmental gear I55 moves to its complete anticlockwise position. This pivots the dog I22 and then when the segmental gear 555 turns clockwise the dog I22 engages the arm i728 and turns the shaft l56 90 clockwise. This moves the cams 1159 to their vertical positions lifting the rollers H66 and thus pivoting the levers Mia. The front ends of the levers l6a move upwards and so move upward the stripper mechanism. As the stripper mechanism moves upwards the bars lll2 will lift the pressure head back to its original position where it will be immediately caught and held by the operation of the bolt '58. Furthermore, the

rods :lfll will engage against the pallets and strip the blocks from the mold so that the pallets and the blocks are now held a short position above the top of the mold. At this instant the spring 280 will strike the finger extension I46a and cause the arms I93 and I94 to pivot together and beneath the edges of the pallets which are being supported above the mold.

The operator now turns the handle lll4 another 90 back to its original position. This immediately indirectly moves the arms I,I'I and H8 so that the arm H1 is vertical and the arm H8 has its bottom end directed towards the front of the machine, that is, the left in Fig. 4. The lower end of the arm IIB adjusts the dog 22 which finger extension I96a, the arms I93 and I94 will continue to support the stripped block. The operator then unhooks the take-off frame I88 by pulling upwards on the bar I92 which pivots the rear ends of the arms I86 downwards so that the hook cutouts I8! disengage from the pegs I88. The operator then pulls the take-ofi frame I89 completely outwards until it strikes the stop I83. The blocks are then removed from the arms I93 and I94 and when all three blocks, or as many blocks as had been stripped from the mold have been removed, the spring I98 returns the arms I93 and I84 back to their original positions. In their original positions they are sufllciently spaced to permit the stripped blocks and the pallets to pass up between them.

' The operation now is continued by the operator turning the handle I04 90". The feed drawer comes out but this time the feed drawer hooks on to the take-oil. frame I80, the pegs I88 riding up on the cams I 89 and setting into the hooks I81. The operation of the machine continues as previously described, except for the fact that when the feed drawer 30 moves back to its position beneath the chute 26 it pulls the take-off frame I80 back to the position originally described.

While we have have illustrated and described our invention with some degree of particularity, we realize that in practice various alterations therein may be made. We therefore reserve the right and privilege of changing the form of the details of construction or otherwise altering the arrangement of the correlated parts without departing from the spirit of the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A method for making a building block, consisting in moving a feed drawer with plastic material across a vibrating mold by starting on one side of the mold and moving the. said drawer until it is superimposed on the mold to fill and pack the mold, quickly moving said teed drawer off the mold to strip excess plastic material from the mold. and quickly applying a pressure head upon the top of the material in the mold during continued vibration 01' said mold.

2. A method for making a building block, consisting in moving a feed drawer with plastic material across a mold by starting on one side of the mold and moving the said drawer until it is superimposed on the mold, vibrating the mold during engagement of said feed drawer to pack said material therein, moving said feed drawer ofi the mold during continued vibration thereof, and continuing the vibration of said mold and engaging a yielding pressure head on the material in the mold during said latter vibration period.

- LOUIS'GELBMAN.

EUGENE F. OLSEN. ARTHUR B. MAYS. 

